1.
Never give out identifying information-- home address,
school name, or telephone number in a public message
such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you're
dealing with someone that both you and your child know
and trust before giving it out via E-mail. Think carefully
before revealing any personal information such as age,
marital status, or financial information. Consider using
a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your service
allows it.

2. Never allow a child to arrange
a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without
parental permission and supervision. If a meeting is
arranged, make the first one in a public spot, and be
sure to accompany your child.

3. Never respond to messages or bulletin
board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent,
threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage
your children to tell you if they encounter such messages.
If you or your child receives a message that is harassing,
of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of
the message to your service provider and ask for their
assistance. In the case of an email containing threats
contact your local police agency.

4. Should you stumble upon a website
that contains child pornography while online, make note
of the website’s URL address and report it immediately
to your local police agency. A website’s URL is
the series of letters usually starting with http://www.

5. If you receive any email messages
containing child pornographic images contact your local
police agency immediately. Do not delete the message
until advised to do so by the police. Deleting the message
prematurely may destroy valuable information that can
help the police trace the person responsible for sending
the message.

6. Remember that people online may
not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even
hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent
himself or herself. Someone indicating that they are
a "12-year-old boy or girl" could in reality
be an adult.

7. Remember that everything you read
online may not be true. Any offer that's "too good
to be true" probably is. Be especially careful
about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting
or having someone visit your home.

8. Set reasonable rules and guidelines
for computer use by your children. Discuss these rules
and post them near the computer as a reminder. Remember
to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially
when it comes to the amount of time your children spend
on the computer. A child or teenager's excessive use
of online services or bulletin boards, especially late
at night, may be a clue that there is a potential problem.
Remember that personal computers and online services
should not be used as electronic babysitters.

9. The computer should always be kept
in a common area of your home such as a family room
rather than the child's bedroom.

10. The Internet is no different than
the real world, get to know your children’s "online
friends" just as you would get to know all of their
other friends.

11. Never give out your password to
anyone even if the person claims to work for your Internet
Service Provider. No reputable company will ever ask
for your password.